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Her Natural Path

Prologue: Moving Forward

I'm staring out into the night, trying to hide the pain

I'm going to the place where love

And feeling good don't ever cost a thing

And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain

-Daughtry: I'm Coming Home

Three years. Three excruciatingly painful years for her had gone by, but she no longer was a naive girl without an identity of her own. She, Isabella Swan was a blossoming young woman ready to face her fears; Ready to face him.

As she packed up the last box in her now box-filled apartment, she thought about what led her to this moment.

She remembered getting married to a perfect man…well he was perfect at the time she thought. She had been stupid to think they would have a perfect marriage, her and Edward. She was wrong. From the moment her Jacob left the reception with that hurt and pain in his eyes she knew her heart wouldn't ever be the same without him.

Why couldn't I see this sooner? Why couldn't I surrender to my love for him? Why couldn't I admit he was always enough for me?

All those questions kept playing in her head. Once she and her "perfect" vampire left the little town of Forks as husband and wife it hit her head on, regret. Though Cullen couldn't read her mind he saw it written all over her face and all his vampire characteristics started to show. He became possessive over Bella and more jealous of her connection with Jacob than ever before.

He had planned this beautiful honeymoon for them on a private island that was gifted to Esme by Carlisle. For a couple of weeks it was all there's, but Bella wasn't planning to be there for a couple of weeks. She was ending this marriage before it had even really begun and for good reason. Bella couldn't give herself to Edward. Nothing was right anymore; everything she once believed went out the door as she finally realized what she was leaving behind. Her life would never be for-filled without her family and without her sun.

Three days into the "honeymoon" Bella's fear of Edward was at an all time high. He was becoming more of the monster he truly was, but never let that part of him surface until then. Bella would try to avoid him at all costs and go along with his plans for the day, but on that third night on that deserted island she was making an escape. Alice was going to have a vision of Edward's behavior sooner rather than later.

While Bella was laying in the bed, hiding under the covers, and trying to fall into a deep sleep without Edwards disturbance, Alice, Emmet, and Rose were coming to her rescue. Edward's three siblings had ripped through the luxurious house immediately sniffing out Bella's scent. Edward was outraged and betrayed. His venomous teeth were bared to his siblings as Emmet and Rose restrained him from getting to Bella before Alice did. As Alice approached the bedroom door with her vampire speed, Bella was already standing in front of the door just about to pull it open.

"Hurry up and help me grab your things, we're taking you away from her and away from him," Alice told her in a hurry. Bella was shocked, but soon it registered to her that Alice must have gotten a vision and immediately she grabbed one of her bags and started packing up her things with Alice. Of course Alice was well aware of what belonged to Bella, she had packed the bag herself. With Alice's vampire speed all of Bella's things were safely packed in a matter of seconds. Alice grabbed Bella and her bags running full speed to the boat that awaited them on the sand. Alice revved up the boat and headed back towards the dock in Rio.

Bella let sleep take over her as she tried to forget Edward's loud protests against Alice taking her. In her deep slumber she dreamt of her Jacob. His beautiful face, his voice, his body… She couldn't shake him and she didn't want to. Even in her sleep she could feel his warmth and his fit muscular arms wrapped around her petite body. She wanted to roll around in the warmth forever, but that couldn't last.

Alice woke her so they could get to the Airport in Rio. Once there, Alice gave Bella a plane ticket that she could use anywhere she wanted to go. Bella looked at it in disbelief trying to figure out where she wanted to go. Though she needed Jacob dearly, she needed her sanity more before anything. It was either go back to Forks or go to Jacksonville. Jacksonville it is.

Alice didn't let Bella tell her where she was going. It was best she didn't know so she wouldn't slip up around Edward and think about it.

"I have something for you," she said as she pulled out a leather jacket…his jacket.

"H-How did you get that?" Bella stuttered as tears rimmed her eyes.

"Let's just say one of the wolves isn't so bad and was willing to go behind Jacob's back to get this to you," Alice replied in her high pitched sweet voice. Alice placed the jacket around Bella's shoulders and turned Jacob's bracelet around on Bella's wrist letting the wolf show outward. Bella didn't forget to keep that bracelet on her…even if she was Edward's wife.

"Thank you Alice…Tell everyone I'm sorry about this," Bella said as she brushed a tear aware with the back of her hand.

"You're welcome Bella. Everything will be ok; I want you to get settled in where ever you go. The wolves' sent on the Jacket should mask yours. Edward won't come after once he gets hit with that smell and once you're in the sky your sent won't be traceable anyway. If you ever need me or want to talk I'm just an email away."

"I love you's " were exchanged and comforting hugs even though Alice's hard cold skin was against Bella's warm soft skin. There was always something comforting about Alice's hugs to Bella despite her freezing temperature.

Alice sent Bella on her way and Bella was starting her journey as an independent woman. Bella didn't regret her move to Jacksonville. Her mother Renee and step father Phil welcomed her with open arms. Of course Bella explained to her parents what happened, leaving out the supernatural details of course. Renee tried to hold back an "I told you so", but she had an instinct that something wasn't all the way right with her daughter and Edward. It was too perfectbetween them. Renee didn't press the issue with Bella though. After Bella got settled into the guest room of Renee and Phil's house Carlisle wired her money to go to school in Florida. Bella tried to fight the Cullen's on not taking the money, but decided to take the opportunity. She just made the application deadline and was accepted into Florida State College. She started classes that spring semester and after two years gained an associate's degree in culinary arts and journalism. After she graduated she dropped her cashier job she had taken on during her first semester and found a bakery to work in. Bella always loved cooking and baking. She became a pro at all sorts of pastries and h'orderves.

Through the years Bella's wall slowly crumbled down and she gained friendships with a couple class mates and her coworkers at the bakery. She became a little bit more outgoing and shared some of her life with them, minus the mythical factors she was so aware of. She even kept in contact with Alice and the rest of the Cullens. Alice had informed Edward had went away and stayed with Denali clan, he had to get his self together. He was doing better and the Cullen's had relocated out of Forks and moved to Alaska. Alice got no visions of the Volturi making plans to check on their dear Bella, which was always a lingering fear in the back of Bella's mind. Carlisle reminded Bella that time was never equivalent to the way humans cherished time and she was very grateful for that. Bella was happy she could still keep a relationship with the Cullen's without them being overbearing.

Even though she got comfortable in Jacksonville that didn't mean she was completely content with her life. With every passing year the holidays came and with them came Charlie's begging for her to come home and visit. She would always come up with an excuse: She was sick, or already had plans, or she couldn't afford it, etc. Charlie never bought them after the first year, but he didn't want to push Bella away. He was happy she at least let go of that "Cullen boy".

It tore Bella apart that she kept breaking her father's heart, but she knew she would see him again and soon. So, that's what led her here taping up the last box of her things in the adorable quaint apartment she was able to afford while in Jacksonville. She was proud of herself for getting through these three years without her father, the pack, Billy, and Jacob… She worried about her father, but knew Sue Clearwater was taking good care of him while she was away. She was happy to see her father be happy with another woman finally…he deserved that happiness. At times she thought she would break in two from the pain she felt from missing all her loved one's, but this was a test for herself. She had to stick it out and become stronger…become a woman. She had to get in touch with her inner self.

These past three years prepared her for the real world. She had a good paying job that helped her afford her own apartment, provide for herself, and gain a great education that she could continue online where ever she pleased. Most of all she found herself, the real Isabella Swan. She knew who she was and what she wanted. Her yoga classes helped her find her center and inner piece. She had found a calm that was much needed and became in tune with her feelings which made her realize just how deep in love she really was with Jacob. Neither time nor space could change how she felt about him and no man came close to amounting to Jacob Black. She went on a couple dates here and there to get her mother off her back a little, but they never went far…the only man she wanted was thousands of miles away and soon they'd be reunited…at least she hoped.

All these experiences led her to this moment...

Bella picked up her Galaxy SIII as a tear slid down her cheek out of sheer happiness and called her home in Forks.

"Dad…I'm coming home."